Looking to install some lighting onto my push bar. Recommendations?

The two orange circles mark where the light mounting holes are, looking for some good ideas on the type of lights that I would be able to mount, as well as wiring ideas, figure maybe the best approach is to try and get a stock style switch and install it into one of the blanks next to my fog lights?

 

My recommendation would be to upgrade your fogs with Diode Dynamics, remove the bull bar and put a light bar in the lower area of the bumper.

Even if you love the bar, @memario1214 with Hot Shot Off Road can assist you with the right package including wiring.

 

Yea, Lose the bar.

 

Delete the bar

you can get driving beam ditch lights

 

There are so many options out there … I have, but dont have them installed anymore, a pair of yellow Hella 500 driving lights. I had them on an NFAB brush guard which I had to remove because the thin bracket that the guard bolts to on the truck cracked. I suspect yours may be bolted to it as well. I then came across a thread here for putting a light in the hood scoop. Check out thread below, I got the Ridgid hyperspot light and love it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hood-scoop-led-lightbar-bracket-by-c4fab.353700/

I do plan on some day fixing that bracket and reinstalling the brush guard.

 

Baja designs

Squardron Sports
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/squadron-sport-black-led-auxiliary-light-pod-pair/

Or A Light Bar
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/?page=1&s=Light+Bars&cat1=light-bars

Or Google auxiliary lighting, there are endless options out there.
Don't listen to these guys if you like the bar keep it

 

OP, the reason that most here, including myself, recommend removing the bar is that it offers zero front end protection. A minor fender bender will cause that bar to create more damage to your front end than not having that bar. We call any push bar or bull bar a "damage multiplier". Keep it if you like but there are better options for lighting.

 

I say......It's your truck and your dough. Mod it any way you like with any accessory you prefer.
Lots of options for accessory lighting......Eventually, YOU have to make a decision and there are lots of suggestions on TW for helping spend your money. You'll get lots of "opinions" but not much of a consensus on what to buy and how to install.

 

@Wattapunk (and most everyone else) is 100% correct. I bought my truck with a brush guard installed. It was promptly removed and sold 2 days later. Those things do not benefit your vehicle in any way, other than aesthetics.

Brush guard hate aside...

Lighting is use-case dependent. @mattski81, what purpose will these lights serve? Long-distance illumination when driving on straightaways at highway speed? Wide illumination for spotting roadside critters when driving through country roads at low speed? Something in between?

Follow-on question: do local laws require you to have SAE J581 compliant auxiliary lighting? If so, this thread is a good place to start researching:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-sae-j581-aux-high-beam-thread.696597/

 

You will need to get some slim profile lights. Ebay will be your best bet. Just search for 7" round offroad LED lights or 6"...tons of options will come up...might are super bright and have never failed.
You most likely will need to drill new holes. Mine were too far apart and too far back. EBay lights usually have the dimensions, so you can measure if they will fit. (mine are 7")
I will say this while a push bar may not save you from hitting a deer, mine did save my front end. About a year ago, a very heavy appliance type cardboard box flew in front of me during a wind storm...while I was doing 65mph...it was a direct impact it a massive thud....I pulled over and all it did was scuff the paint on push bar...I guarantee the whole front end would have been shattered if I didn't have it.

Good luck



Some lights I would get if I was doing my setup today

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234546684682

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275190537847

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325106706420

 

Glad you didn't have any damage but an empty cardboard box would be a horrible crash test for push bars. Replace that with another vehicle or tree at a much slower speed and results would be different.(Even with an appliance in that box)

 

Appreciate the recommendation, will do some reading and check out their page.

Honestly, I like it for the looks, it just feels right and at the end of the day that's what counts for me I guess. As for it being a damage multiplier, I absolutely agree that it would definitely cause more damage to my front end if I slid into another vehicle or tree, larger animal... I do however use it heavily for going through rough(ish) terrain, weed/grass/bush filled dirt roads that have growth down the center and it does wonders for moving the greenery down and onto the skid plate instead of whacking my bumper (those little twigs can cause a lot of pain damage!).

Definitely something I thought about as well. Might actually consider it for the wide angle coverage I can get from those.

 

Over the years I have read opinions how push bars, bull bars or the like are pretty much worthless to have on a vehicle. When I read this, I wonder why quite a few emergency response vehicles (LE) have them, why (in recent years) more and more tractor trailer rigs are puttng them on and why folks who live in areas where the deer roam free and the antelope play have put them on their trucks since the beginning of time itself. I read opinions how they will multiple damage, but have yet to see any factual findings comparing an impact with a push bar and without a push bar. I realize these things are not the saving grace, but are there any documented comparisons? If so, I would be interested in seeing them.

If push bars or the like multiple damage, then wouldn't a front bumper sporting a winch or a heavy duty rear bumper cause the same problem since they're all mounted the the frame? So what's the difference? Is it six of one and a half of a dozen of another? My inquiring mind would like to know.

I'm here to get ideas on mods (and have gotten plenty) or when I can offer information when someone needs it. How I builld my truck is not going to be the same as the next guy. If someone has a big #3 on their rig or running 21" rims on spacers with the tires sticking 5" inches out past the fender, more power to them. I may not like it or would never do it, but who am I to "dis" their truck.

 

I wish you the best in getting that sorted Chuy! I had just taken mine off last week and inspected it before refreshing the paint in the areas where it peeled due to greenery whacking it (essentially bottom horizontal bar was the worst), seems like everything is good, no damage or cracks anywhere, will keep my fingers crossed that it will last. I had previously had a 2004 Xterra, had the push bar on that since new and sold it about a year and a half ago with it being intact and in perfect condition other than it being a bit faded.

Anyway, will be checking out the thread. Appreciate you posting and giving me feedback!

 

Thank you for that, some of these look exactly like something I would buy! Will do some more reading, with a quick google search it appears these are rather highly rated for their light distribution and reliability. Cheers!

 

You can use brackets to mount to bars like below. Check diameter of your bars

$11 Nilight 90020B 2 Pack Mounting Bracket Kit LED Off Road Light Horizontal Bar Tube Clamp Roof Roll Cage Holder, 2 Years Warranty,Black

Amazon.com: Nilight 90020B 2 Pack Mounting Bracket Kit LED Off Road Light Horizontal Bar Tube Clamp Roof Roll Cage Holder, 2 Years Warranty : Automotive

I run them on my tundra

 

I don't disagree in regards to the damage multiplier, it's a risk I am willing to take and really only because it's a big personal preference of mine in regards to style and how I use my truck for B.C camping/hunting/fishing trips, where I go (my truck being a DCLB is not specced or even modded for rock crawling!), but the closest thing I do is go through new growth on dirt roads to get to certain locations, a lot of logging roads, etc.

Either way, thanks for the feedback!

 

I like the bar, what brand is it?

 

Speaking of cardboard crash tests, I have to remind people this hilarious thread exists:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...xes-and-it-didnt-auto-stop-what-the-f.579027/

 

Agreed! Definitely a lot of suggestions, and I appreciate all the feedback and opinions, it gives me great ideas and I feel that's the spirit of these forums. Folks love their trucks here, so much so in fact that they are ready to lay down reality hard to maybe prevent some from making mistakes. I respect that.